Carpet-stretcher



(ModeL) L. M. SUMMERPIELD CARPET STRETUHER. No. 250,686. Patented Dec.13,1881

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS M. SUMMERFIELD, OF MATTOON, ILLINOIS.

CARPET-STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 250,686, dated December13, 1881.

Application filed September 2, 1881.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LOUIS M. SUMMERFIELD, of the city of Mattoon, Stateof Illinois, have invented a new, novel, and useful Improvement inGarpet-Stretchers; and I do declare the following is a full, clear, andexact description of the same, which will enable others skilled in theart to make and use the same, reference beinghad to the accompanyingdrawin gs, forming part of this specification.

The object of my invention is to provide an easy and more completemethod of laying or stretching carpets upon the floor, and enabling theperson using it to stretch all parts of a carpet equally, and providingagainst an undue or over strain upon any particular part of the carpet.

The invention consists in so arranging two rods, with snitablejaws onthe ends to attach to each end of any width of carpet, and by passingthrough a stationary box so arranged that each rod can by the use of ageared key be passed by the other, thereby increasing their length, andconsequently stretching any flexible substance to the same length of therods, as can be more readily seen and understood from the accompanyingdrawings.

Figure 1 represents a perspective View of the stretcher as complete, A Abeing two rods with the inner surface supplied with teeth or cogs, andpassing through box D, and having attached to the end cross-pieces, B B,which are fastened by entering hollow sockets H H and secured in placeby set or thumb screw K K. Attached to the cross pieces B B are blocks GG G G, into which are inserted the curved teeth or points 0 C O G. D isa box composed of two plates, of iron or other material, for top andbottom, with a hole of suitable size at 1, into which enters the key F,provided with handle L, as shown. By the turning of key F in hole I fromright to left the rods are increased in length, or from left to right,thereby shortening the same. J is a small thin key or wedge for holdingthe two rods in place after being stretched to the desired length.

Fig. 2 is the cross-piece with the end blocks,

(ModeL) G G, attached by means of screws, the blocks having driventhrough them a series of hooks, bent at a slight angle upward and placedabout midway of the blocks G G, so that the strain of stretching comesupon the lower corner of the block, and not upon the teeth or hooks. His a hollow socket, made of iron or some suitable material, into whichthe rod A in Figs. 1 and 3 is inserted and fastened by a set or thumbscrew at K.

Fig. 3 shows the detached rod, having onehalf of its length faced withmetal, cast or corrugated with teeth or cogs, into which the key Fworks.

Fig. 4: is an iron key, made of any desired length, having its end at Icut or geared so as to match the teeth or cogs upon rods A A in Figs. 1and 3, and made of such size thatit can be taken in and out of plate Din Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a representation of the stationary box D in Fig. 1, it beingmade of two strong metal plates for top and bottom, the upper or topplate being removed to show more clearly its construction. A A areblocks of hard wood, to which the two plates are fastened by the meansof screws or bolts. 0 O is an open space in box, through which the rodsof Figs. 1 and 3 are inserted and pass each other. is a sunken hole inthe lower plate to hold the end of key F. D is a handle attached to sideof box, for the more convenient handling of same in carrying to and fro.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as entirely new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination of rods A A with crossbars B B, with blocks G G G G, andteeth 0 O O O, with socket K, and box D, with key F, and catch J, andwith handle L, as shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own invent-ion I affix mysignature in the presence of two witnesses.

Mattoon, August 22, 1881.

LOUIS M. SUMMEBFIELD.

Witnesses:

W. H. RICE, JOHN F. Scorer.

